The 45 lots are expected to reach hundreds of thousands of pounds when they go under the hammer later this year.

Stiles, 68, who suffered a stroke in June, said: “It was always my intention to leave the entire collection to my children.

“But I have three sons – how do you fairly divide up this sort of collection between them?

“They have each selected some pieces they would like to keep for themselves.”

World Cup winner Nobby Stiles today (PA)

The tough-tackling Manchester United midfielder won two league titles and a European Cup during an 11-year career with the Old Trafford club.

He added: “I’m as patriotic as the next Englishman and will always cherish my memories and the friendships I made in my playing days, but at this stage of my life I would rather have some control over the distribution of my memorabilia and know my family will benefit.”

The sale includes Stiles’ 1966 World Cup winner’s medal (estimate: £100,000-150,000), a 1966 World Cup cap (estimate: £20,000-30,000), his 1968 European Cup winner’s medal (estimate: £20,000-30,000) and the blue Manchester United shirt worn by him in the 1968 European Cup final against Benfica (estimate: £15,000-20,000).

Also going on sale is Alan Ball’s 1966 World Cup final shirt (estimate: £20,000-30,000), which Stiles acquired from his team-mate as a swap after the match.

David Convery, from Convery Auctions, said: “The Nobby Stiles Collection represents English football’s greatest period in both the domestic and European arena.

“We anticipate worldwide interest in this important collection, particularly for his World Cup and European memorabilia.”

Born Norbert Peter Stiles in Collyhurst, Manchester, in 1942, he was awarded the MBE in 2000 for his part in England’s 4-2 victory over West Germany on July 30, 1966.

The sale will take place at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh on Wednesday, October 27, at midday, and the collection will be on view from Monday, October 25.